Subclass 189 — at a glance
The Skilled Independent visa, subclass 189, is a permanent residence visa for points-tested skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, a state or territory, or an eligible relative. If you are granted, you and any included family members become Australian permanent residents from day one.
Eligibility checklist
To be granted a 189 you must:
- Have a nominated occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL);
- Have a positive skills assessment in that occupation from the relevant assessing authority;
- Be invited to apply (after submitting an EOI in SkillSelect);
- Be under 45 years of age at time of invitation;
- Demonstrate Competent English (IELTS 6 in each band or equivalent);
- Score at least 65 points on the points test;
- Pass health, character and security checks.
The Core Skills Occupation List
From the post-2024 reforms, the CSOL is the relevant list for new 189 EOIs. Occupations are grouped by ANZSCO code and skill level. The Department reviews the list periodically — what was on the previous MLTSSL may not appear on the CSOL, and vice-versa.
Practical implications:
- Always check the current CSOL before assuming you are eligible.
- Some legacy occupations have moved to the Specialist Skills Occupation List (used by the Skills in Demand 482 visa) but not the CSOL.
- Family-sponsored 491 may be available even if your occupation is no longer on the CSOL — check that pathway in parallel.
Points test breakdown
| Factor | Max points |
|---|---|
| Age (25-32) | 30 |
| Superior English | 20 |
| Skilled employment outside Australia (8+ years) | 15 |
| Skilled employment in Australia (8+ years) | 20 |
| Doctorate from Australian or recognised institution | 20 |
| Australian Study Requirement | 5 |
| Specialist education (STEM masters or doctorate) | 10 |
| Credentialled community language | 5 |
| Study in regional Australia | 5 |
| Skilled spouse / partner | 0 / 5 / 10 |
| Professional Year completed in Australia | 5 |
EOI, invitation & lodgement
- Get a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your CSOL occupation.
- Take an English test (IELTS, PTE, OET, TOEFL or Cambridge) at the level you intend to claim.
- Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect, claiming your points honestly and with evidence.
- Receive an invitation in a Department invitation round.
- Lodge a complete 189 application within 60 days of the invitation — including health and character documents.
How the 189 compares to 190 and 491
| 189 Independent | 190 Nominated | 491 Regional | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent on grant | Yes | Yes | No (provisional) |
| Sponsorship required | No | State / territory | State / territory or eligible relative |
| Bonus points | — | +5 | +15 |
| Geographical condition | None | Live where nominated (typically 2 yrs) | Live in designated regional area for 3 yrs |
| Pathway to PR | Direct PR | Direct PR | via 191 after 3 yrs |
Subclass 189 — Common Questions
The legal minimum is 65 points, but the actual invitation cut-off varies by occupation each round. Recent rounds have seen invitations issued to 90+ points in popular occupations. We update strategy with each Department release.
The 189 uses the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) introduced as part of the new Skills in Demand framework. The MLTSSL was retired for new EOIs after the 2024 reforms; check the current CSOL on the Department of Home Affairs website for your nominated occupation.
No. The 189 is independent — it does not require employer sponsorship or state nomination. Eligibility is based on your occupation, skills, age, English and the points test alone.
Processing times depend on the occupation, the country of the applicant and overall caseload. Recent published 50% / 90% percentile times have been around 5-12 months. Always check the Home Affairs global visa processing times page before lodgement.
Yes. Spouse / partner, dependent children and other dependent relatives can be included as secondary applicants. They must meet health, character and English requirements (or pay the second instalment language charge if not Functional English).
It remains a major GSM pathway, but the planning levels for 189 places have tightened. Applicants who are eligible for state nomination (190) or regional pathways (491) often have a more practical route to PR.